Norristown Signing Day: From one town to another

WEST NORRITON — The tandem of Norristown basketball players Bernard Gordon and Josh Johnson was as exciting as any in the area to watch. With Gordon at the point and Johnson on the wing, they were dynamic in their approach to the game. The starting five ran a fast breaking almost pick-up ball style of play that was unceasingly up-tempo and left many teams playing catch up.

Johnson’s uncanny leaping ability and Gordon’s unselfishness with the rock were symbiotic attributes that not only led to winning ways but to highlight reel acrobatics. It’s only fitting that this basketball relationship should continue and on Wednesday morning, they put it in writing.

Bernard Gordon and Josh Johnson will play for Kutztown University starting in the fall of 2013.

“It’s good to see these two guys sign,” said coach Mike Evans. “They’re two of the best kids we’ve had in this program … I’m going to miss them a lot.”

The soon-to-be collegiate athletes have two vastly different beginnings in the sport of basketball. Gordon, the certificate of achievement recipient from Eisenhower Middle School, who at an early age — three or four — played against kids older than him from the very beginning. Gordon would play above his potential at the behest of his father.

“I give all the credit to (my father),” Gordon said. “He’s always been by my side through all the struggles, because basketball takes a lot of hard work.”

Growing up near Ambler, they would go down to Elmwood Park where the young Bernard would shoot and the elder would rebound for him.

One of Gordon’s main influencers in choosing Kutztown was the fact his father both played and attended there.

“That’s what it came down to,” Gordon said. “And I not only want to go there for basketball, but also for academics as well.”

He will study sports management and has aspirations to run his own recreation center one day.

Johnson, on the other hand, waited until much later to find the drive to put his tremendous athletic ability to use.

“(Last year) Jahbri Hargrove, BJ Gordon and Shai Cree Tempson asked me to come out for the team,” Johnson said. “I always played pickup with Jahbri and Shai Cree … I really didn’t have an interest in it at first, but Jahbri talked me into trying out.”

In his first season on the team, his junior year, Johnson dislocated his patellar tendon and missed most of the season. After missing all the exhibition games in the preseason this year, he got right to work in a win against an extremely tough Coatesville team.

The chemistry with his team, Johnson said, was what enabled him to thrive.

“We played basketball all summer in tournaments and team and the chemistry was always there,” Johnson said. “It gave me confidence knowing these guys had my back.”

Johnson said he knew right then that he had a future in the sport. And similar with Gordon, Johnson played with the sole intentions of getting into college and continuing his career.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do for school, I just knew I didn’t want to settle for Montco,” Johnson said. “(Jahbri) said that with my height and talent I could get into a good college and that convinced me.”

Less than two years later, Johnson achieved his goal and signed a letter to play DII basketball for Kutztown.

“Josh has an upside that’s going to be off the charts,” Evans said. “He’s a kid that’s always wanted to learn. With Coach Bernie (Driscoll) he’s going to learn a lot.”

The benefits of going with a friend will be great for both players. On the court their chemistry and knowledge of each other’s strengths will add a new dynamic to the Golden Bears. And in the classroom — both planning on studying sports management — they’ll have the benefit of a brother in arms.

“I think together they’re going to bring out the best in each other,” Evans said. “It’s going to be good for that program in Kutztown.”

•••Eight other students signed their letters of intent Wednesday: Alexis Bell signed with East Stroudsburg for track; Sean Calhoun signed with Chestnut Hill for lacrosse; Rowanna Watson signed with Morgan Track for track; Brett Harner signed for wrestling at Princeton University; Zayna Milligan signed for track at DI UCONN; Darius Wills for football and Mike Brown for track at Lincoln University.

“(Lincoln) wasn’t trying to force me into a position (on the field), they recruited me as an athlete,” Wills said, who wants to play either running back or safety. “I can play either offense or defense depending on which I like better.”

Brown, who will also attend Lincoln University, sat with friend Wills at the signing but will be a member of the track team. As a youth Brown played football, but nods to his “track family.”

“(Lincoln) has been in contact with me since the beginning of junior year,” Brown said. “I liked the area because it was down the street from other colleges, so there’s always something new to do … and the campus is beautiful.”

Brown said that his coaches at Norristown and Lincoln are friends and that he should already be well-adjusted to the program runs at the university.